We will go though some of the thing you will do to make this a pleasant time.

            1.  Deciding what type of crate to get.
                    a.  wire crate
                    b.  fiberglass crate
                    c.  plastic crate
                    There is pros and cons to each one of these mostly it is up to you as to the one you like the best.  Being puppies/dogs like a den type home, I prefer the enclosed crate, like the fiberglass ones with the opening on the front with the slits on the sides.  I feel the wire ones for the initial housebreaking leaves the puppy feeling to exposed.

            2.  Establish a schedule and do try to keep to it.
                    This is one of the harder things to do.  Every one gets busy and it is easy to forget.  Set down and write up a time table for housebreaking.  Decide where you want the puppy to relieve him/herself.  Go to the same spot every day.  If the puppy has an accident, pick it up, whether bm or urine and have the puppy go with you, place this where the potty spot is to be and praise the puppy as if this is where the puppy actually went.  PRAISE!!!!

                    Pick a word or phrase that you and your family is going to use when the puppy goes out to relieve him/herself like 'outside'.  It can be anything  JUST as long as everyone used the same word(s).
                    Teaching the puppy to relieve on command will come in very handy when you are on a tight schedule.  It can be as simple as 'pee', 'go potty', etc.

                    In the morning when you get up and take the puppy outside.  Do this before almost everything else.  When the puppy knows you are up, he'll want out  too.  Take him out side and stay with him until he goes.  Remember Praise, Praise, Praise!!!  This is very important.  When you praise him, just a pat on the head and words of praise.

                    Be consistent.  The use of one clue word(s) will develop a level of communication between you and your cocker.  If you see the puppy looking for a spot to go, say 'outside?' and take him out to his spot and use the word(s) that you have picked out to say to him when you want him to relieve himself.  With the odors from previous visits, relieving himself will be quicker. Praise and a pat to the head.

                    Pay attention to when your puppy wants to go.  They are creatures of habit and like to eat, sleep, relieve themselves on a regular schedule.  Establishing and maintaining a schedule is easy to do and will get easier as your puppy grows.  If he goes potty after 20-30 minutes after he eats, then this is the time to use this to your advantage.  Take him out at 15-20 minutes after he eats.  Should be able to catch him easily and will definitely make your life a whole lot easier.

                    When you see your puppy pacing, sniffing around, turning in circles or trying to hide, these are telltale signs that the puppy wants to go.  Tell him 'outside?', and take him out and tell him to relieve himself.  Works almost every time.  Remember PRAISE!!!

            3.  Don't mix business with pleasure.
                    Remember this is a job that needs to be done.  Do not use this time for play. Be patient, a puppy may urinate or defecate more than once in an outing.  Don't try to distract the puppy from his job.  Treat it as a job to do and not fun and games.

                    If you want to play, take the puppy back into the house and then after a few minutes bring him back outside and play with him.  Until he is housebroke, this would only tend to confuse him and instead of getting down to business, he will want to only play with you.

                    Puppies need the attention that playing with you gives.  You know that after he has been outside and has relieved himself that chances are he will not go for some time so now is the time to play with him.  Remember that after playtime and especially after a meal, take the puppy back outside and encourage him to go.

                    When this is done, you can place the puppy in his crate.  They really do need quiet time, just like a human baby does.  You can over stimulate a puppy and just plain wear them out.

            4.  The key to housebreaking is you.  Be consistent, patient, praise the puppy when he does things right.  The effort you put in now, will be well worth the enjoyment you will have for a lifetime with your cocker.

                This will take time, don't rush it.  If you do, housebreaking will become a chore, an irritation and an aggravation for you and the puppy.  You want to make it pleasant for both of you.

            5.  Until your puppy is totally housebroke, don't leave him unattended.  If you can not keep an eye on him, place him in is crate.